The Lord of the Rings: Lords of Middle-earth.

Chapter 580 Military Expansion Plan
“There are currently fewer than 9000 eligible soldiers in the kingdom…” Yunfeng nudged Omske and whispered.

“Then recruit 7500 people! That’ll be enough for three legions!” Omsk shouted.

"Slap!" Yun Feng slapped himself in the eye. He shouldn't have been so stupid as to say those things to him.

"..." Roland's fists were hard, incredibly hard, and he really wanted to punch someone...

"Ahem, Your Majesty, could you please tell me what our objective is?" Renault asked Roland solemnly, only by knowing Roland's goal could he estimate the required troop strength.

“Return it to the old capital!” Roland said, emphasizing each word.

"Are you... serious?" Renault narrowed his eyes.

“Of course, I don’t want others to be able to attack my doorstep anytime, anywhere! So it’s better to have the capital city on the front line!” Roland narrowed his eyes. From the beginning, Lagrange City was a front-line city. It, along with the Eastern Emperor Fortress and the Swift Current Fortress, were distributed in a triangular formation on the three banks where the Swift Current River and the Red Water River meet. The Eastern Emperor Fortress and the Swift Current Fortress protected Lagrange City, while Lagrange City served as a logistical base to support the two fortresses. This three-in-one defense line was practically unbreakable. The Battle of Lagrange City also started because of the collapse of the Swift Current Fortress. Otherwise, the allied forces of the dark forces would have had no hope of reaching the city’s gates!
“That would require a massive number of troops…” Renault’s eyes showed a hint of seriousness.

“I understand, so we’re not in a hurry. To connect the territories, we need roads to be built first. We can build roads and establish gathering points at the same time, all the way down to Lagrange City!” Roland said to everyone.

“If that’s the case, then it’s acceptable. But how can we guarantee the safety of the gathering point? We won’t rely on the Swift Infantry to guard it, will we?” Omske was unusually serious for once.

“We have another reinforcement on the way, a thousand-strong Lagrange City Guard!” Roland said.

"You intend to have the Lagrange City Guards stationed in the villages and towns?" Adile was somewhat shocked by Roland's wealth and generosity. What kind of family is this, actually sending professionals to guard the villages and towns?

"What? Assign 100 Lagrange City Guards to each gathering point! That way we can control 11 towns at the same time!" Roland stretched out his hand and clenched it, as if he were holding the entire world in his palm.

“If this is your wish, I will comply!” Adile nodded.

“Your Highness, I think 1500 men is a good number. This will replenish the Swift Infantry Legion at Lulong Fortress! This will free up some professionals…” Yun Feng pondered.

“Not enough!” Renault shook his head solemnly.

"Don't forget that we still need to defend Stream City!" Renault stomped his foot, signaling everyone to pay attention to Stream City beneath their feet.

“…” Yun Feng frowned.

"Speedstream City doesn't need to maintain such a large military force, does it?" Omske scratched his head.

“But Lulong needs them, and from which region are Lulong drawing troops?” Renault countered.

“Fine, you win, sir!” Omske promptly shut up.

"So what's your opinion?" Roland was afraid that Renault would throw out a number of 7500 people, so he could only brace himself and look at Renault.

“4500 men! Two Swiftflow Legions! One at Lulong Fortress and one at Swiftflow City!” Renault said.

"Isn't this too much...? This basically wipes out most of the able-bodied men!" Roland was a little worried. Although he shouted the slogan of expanding the army loudly, his talk of militarism was just empty words. He did want to expand the army, but he didn't intend to engage in militarism... "Well, but these are necessities. Rather than using untrained civilians as cannon fodder in the next war, it's better to recruit enough soldiers now!" Renault gave Roland an example. After all, the able-bodied men who died or were wounded this time were enough for Roland to raise a swift infantry legion.

"Does anyone have any objections?" Renault's words convinced Roland. The civilian casualties this time really pierced Roland's heart because... he was once an ordinary civilian. Whenever the country was in trouble on Earth, the powerful and wealthy would always hide in a safe place first. So-called patriotism was just poor children standing on the front line of bloodshed. After the civilians defended peace with their own hands, the powerful and wealthy would emerge again and ride on their heads. The cycle repeated itself... no country was an exception.

"In the game of thrones, commoners are merely pawns to be sacrificed. I am unwilling to sacrifice them, because... I come from them! I am the King of Lagrange! I fight for the people!" — Roland Lagrange. From *Lagrange: The Glory Reborn*

Everyone shook their heads. While they were concerned about the potential social unrest and farmland abandonment caused by the large-scale demobilization of young and middle-aged men, Roland simply didn't want to use conscripted militia to fight the enemy. War was the duty of demobilized professional soldiers!
"That's settled then! Recruit soldiers after spring planting! The pay will be the same as before! And Yunfeng too! Be careful to keep prices stable. I don't want to see a loaf of bread costing 50 gold coins!" Roland warned. A large number of able-bodied men leaving the workforce would definitely have an impact on society, and the prices of food and other commodities would certainly rise. Roland knew what would happen if a loaf of bread cost 50. Although his people were loyal to him, there was no guarantee that there wouldn't be any unsuccessful knights, unsuccessful soldiers, and so on.

"Huh?" Yun Feng suddenly stretched her face forward, giving a question mark look.

"Five hundred thousand for a loaf of bread? How is that possible? If that were true, I'd chop off my own manhood and have it with my drink!" Omske looked at Roland with disdain, clearly thinking Roland was exaggerating.

"..." Roland looked at Omske with pity. Fortunately, this was Middle-earth, and the powerful Judeans were not on the same plane as him, otherwise he would have become the first sixth-order eunuch today.

"Alright, that's enough for now. Do you have anything to add? If not, the meeting is adjourned!" Roland clapped his hands, ready to end the high-level meeting.

“Did we forget something?” Nyx asked meaningfully.

"Forgot what? No!" Yunfeng and Roland exchanged a glance.

“Is it possible that the dwarves and elves are still fighting the undead army…” Nyx pinched the bridge of her nose. Allies are meant to be betrayed, aren’t they? My dear husband.
"This..." To be honest, Roland didn't intend to get involved in the Northern War. After all, ever since the Kingdom of Lagrang was established here, he had been constantly engaged in major and minor wars! Especially the war with the dwarves, which was like being a babysitter. Although it was for the system mission and his own interests, Roland was getting tired of fighting for others all the time.

“The Queen is right. We really can’t just ignore this. Although we have fulfilled our obligations as allies in the early stages, and Caslo has been helping them for a long time, we are now free to help them drive out the invaders, both morally and logically! This is a king’s oath and a knight’s promise!” Adile said sincerely, looking into Roland’s eyes.

“I understand, thank you for your guidance!” Roland nodded.

“Some things must be obeyed. The covenant between kings is more reliable than the law! It is because kings obey it that oaths have binding force and sanctity!” Adile patted Roland’s arm and said earnestly.

"Caslo, Ajax, I'll have to trouble you two to make another trip!" Roland said apologetically, because of the dragon knights' mobility, these two always had the most missions.

"It's alright, Your Highness. Fighting for the Holy Covenant is our duty and responsibility!" Ajax said, patting her chest in acknowledgment before swiftly departing.

"Don't forget the wedding! My wedding!" Caslo gestured silently to Roland with his mouth agape, then quickly caught up with Ajax.

"..." Yun Feng and Roland exchanged a glance, then turned their heads away for a few seconds.

"Hahaha!" The two burst into laughter amidst the astonished gazes of the others.

Roland was laughing because Caslo was always eyeing Ajax's body, looking at him with such eagerness. Yunfeng, on the other hand, was laughing because Roland had painted a good picture, fooling that honest boy Caslo so well that he was willingly and wholeheartedly sold out by Roland.

The two, each with their own ulterior motives, laughed for a while, then smiled and said goodbye before leaving. But just as they turned around, Roland habitually spat at Yun Feng, that old fox, behind his back, while Yun Feng quietly wiped his right hand, which had just shaken hands with Roland…

(End of this chapter)